Electrical hose signaling apparatus.



i fim'rnn FEB. s, 1905.

W. FOWLER. BLBGTRIGAL HOSE SIGNALING APPARATUS.

APPLIGATIOH FILED 31311314, 1904.

No. 811,836. PATENTEB FEB. 6, 1906. W. FOWLER. ELECTRICAL HOSE SIGNALING APPARATUS.

JRYiLIGAIIQH FILED JUNE 14, 199 1 i 4 BHBBTE-SHEJ'I 2.

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No. 811,836. PATENTBD FEB. 6, 1906.

W. FGWLER.

ELECTRICAL HOSE SIGNALING APPARATUS. nrmsnmx nun mm: 14. 1904.

'! BHEETBSBEET 3.

attwwq W. FOWLER.

PATBNTBD FEB. 6, 1906.

ELECTRICAL HOSE SIGNALING APPARATUS.

APPLIGATIOH FILED JUNE 14. 1904.

Wit a um 4 SHBBTB-SHET 4.

\ may be sent by the person in charge the UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELECTRICAL HOSE SIGNALING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 6, 1906.

LP ilCtYhOH iiluu June 14,1904. Serial No. 212,585.

To mli whom it may concern:

' Be it known that I, WILLIAM FOWLER, a. citizen of the United States, residing at Colo rado Springs, in the county of El Paso and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in lllcctrical llose Signaling A .paratus; and I do declare the following to lie a full, clear, and exact descrip tion of the invention, such as will enable othersskilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in electrical hose signaling apparatus or devices connected with fire-hose, whereby si nals engine or at the hydrant to the person at the nozzle end of the line or from any intermediate oint between the extremities of the line to either or both ends of the line, as circumstances may require.

My present invention belongs to the class of devices set forth in the United States Lettors Patent issued to me as follows: No. 470,752, March 15, 1892; No. 486,807, November 22, 1892; No. 539,017, May 7, 1895; No. 539,300, May 7, 1895, and No. 651,326, June 5, 1900; and it consists of the features, arrangements, and combinations hereinafter described and claimed, all of which will be: fully understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof.

In the drawings, Figure I is a section taken through the coupling of a fire-hose equipped with my improvements. This coupling is located intermediate the extremities of the line. Fig. 2 is aface View of the female member of the coupling. Fig. 3 is a corresponding view of the other or male member of the coupling. Fig. 4 is an elevation of the male coupling member, the hose being broken away beyond the coupling member. Fig. 5 is a section taken through the insulating-ring of the female coupling, illustrating one of the spring-held contact-pins Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail View illustrating an insulatlug-tape carrying three electrical conductors of special construction. This tape is located between two thicknesses of the hose,is wound spirally therearound, and is concealed Within t e hose. Fi 7 is a section taken through the nozzle an the adjacent female coupling member. Fig. 8 is a face View of the coupling located at the engine and its connections. Fig. 9 is a section taken through the same. Fig. 10 is an elevation showing a special construction of portable bell connected with an electrical key or device whereby the portable bell may be placed in circuit at any coupling along the line. Fig. 1 l is a section taken through the same. Fig. 12 is a section taken through a bell connected with a portable battery. Fig. 13 is a top view of the bell construction shown in Fig. 12, its top part being partly broken away. Fi 14 is a View of a special construction of hell shown in connection with the electrical key. Figs, 15 and 16 are dis rammatic views illustrating the circult. Fig. 17 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view illustrating the connections of the three conductors with thecontact-rings and pins of the coupling member. Fig. 18 is a ragmentary detail view of the male coupling member, showing the manner of fastening the insulating-ring.

In an apparatus of this class three or more bells may be employed, one being located at. the engine, another at the nozzle, and one or more at intermediate points. The intermediatcly-located bell is supposed to be carried by the person who wishes to si nal the person in charge of either end of t e line-that is to say, the person located at the engine or the one at the nozzle. The line of hose is equipped at any cou lin with devices which make it practicable or t 1e erson carrying a hell with which is connects an electrical key to attach the key to the coupling, and thus place the bell carried by him in circuit. Each bell is provided with a circuit-closer of ordinary construction, as a push-button. When the connections are properly made, if an r ush-botton is pressed the three bells will all lie operated or sounded simultaneously. A portable battery may be connected with the portable boll, so that if there is a break in the circuit between the portable bell and the battery which it is assumed is located at the engins the portable battery will make it practicable to communicate with the person at the nozzle and of the line; but if the engine- 'battery is in working order the two batteries will work in harmony, as the portable battery is connected in parallel with the primary or main battery.

My present improvements comprise, among others, the following features: A gasket located in the female member of the coupling outside of the insulating-ring and cooperating with the male member of the coupling which projects beyond the insulating-ring of the male coupling to engagement with the gasket of the female member, whereby a water-tight joint is formed. By virtue of this feature the gasket is located outside of the contact-pins, whereby it does not interfere in any manner with the said pins, neither is it compressed into the waterway, which would result in contracting the said waterway a special construction of contact-pin, a coil-spring connected with the pin being directly connected with one of the electrical conductors of the line: special bell construc tions in which spring-held rotary spools are employed for winding up or paying out the cable carrying the three branch conductors connected with the electrical key; a bell provided with a spool upon which the cable car rying these conductors may be wound by hand, if desired, and a special construction of ta e carrying three conductors which are insul ated from each other making it practicable to extend the conductors around the line of hose in a spiral path. I have also shown a special construction of conductor namely, a conductor composed of a number of strands loosely woven. A conductor of this character is readily extensible, and therefore not liable to strain or breakage.

Having outlined my improved construction and the function it is intended to perform, I will proceed to describe the same in detail. In referring to the drawings the same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the views. Referring first more especially to Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, let A designate the male coupling of the hose, and B the female coupling. To the female coupling is applied the revoluble ring B, provided with the usual lugs 13 to facilitate its rotary movement. The flexible hose-sections C are con nected with the metallic members A and B of the coupling in the usual manner and abut against interiorly-projecting collars A and B respectively. The male coupling memher is provided with a bushing A composed of insulating material, as hard rubber. This ring engages the collar A at one extremity, while its other extremity is located a short distance from the outer extremit T A of the male coupling part, which extremity engages a soft-rubber gasket B, whose outer edge engages a circumferential groove formed in the revoluble ring B of the female part of the coupling, while its inner edge bears against the stationary part B of the female coupling. It will thus be seen that this gasket is engaged by the two opposing metallic faces of the coupling members, whereby the coupling is made water-tight. Two metallic contactrin s A and A are set into the exposed face of t e insulating-bushing A the faces of the rings being flush with the face of the bushing and exposed to cause them to be engaged by metallic contact-pins B and B, which are set into and protrude from the adjacent face of an insulating-bushing B carried by the female coupling member. The two pins B" and B are substantially of the same construction, and they are given different reference characters only for convenience of description. The extremities of these pins are oppositely beveled, whereby while the bodies of the pins are located in the same circle their free extremities engage the outer and inner contact-rings A and A, respectively. It will be understood from an inspection of the drawings that the two rings A and 'A" are concentric with each other, the ring A being located within and smaller than the ring A", the two rings being insulated from each other. The construction and arrangement of these pins will be understood by reference to Fig. 5. It will be assumed that the pin B is illustrated in Fig. 5, though as far as the drawing is concerned it would be impossible to tell which ring was intended, unless we assume that the section is so taken that the ring is viewed in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 2. Each pin is flattened on one side, as shown at 1, and passes through an opening in a metal plate 2, the opening being shaped to fit the pin, whereby the latter is prevented from turning in the plate. The bevel of the pin is indicated by the numeral 3. The insulating-ring is provided with a recess 4 for each contact-pin. Each pin has a reduced stem 5, which is surrounded by a coil-spring 6, one extremity of which is soldered to the body of the pin, while the other extremity is directly connected with one of the three electrical conductors of the line of hose. Each plate 2 is secured to the face of the insulating-ring by suitable fastening-screws 7. The various parts referred to by numerals in Fig. 5, where the pin B is referred to, will be employed to designate the corresponding features of and used in connection with the pin B Each pin B and B has a shoulder where its body part merges into its stem, which shoulder engages one extremity of the coilspring, which coil-spring extremity is soldered to the body of the pin, as before stated.

Let D designate an insulatingtape, which is wound spirally around the hose-sections intermediate the two layers of which the hose is composed. This tape 1) carries the three main conductors of the line, these conductors being designated E, F, and G, respectively. The extremity of the conductor E adjacent the male member of the coupling is connectedfwith the inner contact-ring A, while the corresponding extremity of the conductor G is connected with the outer contact-ring A The conductor F is connected with the body of the male coupling member A, as shown at F The extremities of the conductors E and G, adjacent the female member of the coupling, are respectively connected with the consiisss Q tact-pins B and B These pins engage the inner and outer contact-rings A and A as heretofore en laincd. Branch conductors if? and F lea from the main conductors E and F outwardly through openings formed in the male coupling member for the purpose and terminate in exposed contacts H, locsted on opposite sides of the central pro'ection H of the male coupling. The branch condnc tors E snd'F, as well as the contacts H at their outer cXtreniitics, are insulated from the male member of the coupling, as shown at H (See Figs. 1 and l.) The two contacts H and the projection H are arranged to register with two contacts H and with a contact llf, forming a part of what I will term an electrical key il the body portion ll of which is composed of insulating material. The two contacts II" consist of pins which protrude from the face of the body ll of the key, the said lace being curved to cmrform to the curve of the coupling member. 'lhcse pins are movably mounted in the body H of the key and are provided with fast washers Il which engage coil-springs llflwhich surround the reduced parts of the )ins, the said springs being located in enlarged recesses il formed in the body H These springs act to hold the face extremities of the pins H? in close electrical engagement with the two contacts ll. The contact H, which located intermediate the pins ill, consists of a metal thimble adapted to receive the projection ll of the male coupling in close engagement, whereby a perfect electrical contact is formed. The inner extremities of the pins H pass through contactplatcs H {see Fig. 10,) and to these plates are attached the inner terminals of branch conductors a and a, which are insulated from each other and passed through an insulsting-sheath b, which is connected at one extremity with the body H of the insulatingkey, while its other extremity is wound around a spool, forming a part of a. portable bell, while a third branch conductor a is connected with the contact H of the key and passes through the sheath b with the two conductors a, and a, and the three branch conductors are connccted with the parts of the bell in a manner that will now be explained, referring first to Figs. 10 and 1]. In these views I designates the casing of the hell and I a spool or pulley mounted to rotate therein on a spindle I"; This pulley is connected with a spring I whereby the cable B may be automatically wound thereon. This construction makes it PUSSlbl to regulate the length of the cable 5 between the electrical key and the bell may be desired. One end of the spring I" connected with the spindle ll, while its other extremity is made fast to the spool, and the operation of the latter will be readily understood. The spool l is provided on one side with a contact-ring l and s sprin -actna.ted push-button I, mounted on the came of the bell, is adapted to engage said ring regardless of the position of the spool when the button is prossm The branch conductor amay be said to lead to the contact-r111 I after entering the hellcasing. Attention called to the fact that the bell mechanism mounted on and rotates with the spool 1 within the casing. The two branch conductors o and a? are connect cd with the bell mechanism in the usosi mam ner. The construction shown in Fig. 14 substantiall the same that shown in Figs. 10 and 11 ci'ccpt that the spool upon which the cable 3) is wound is stationar instead of rcvolub'lc and spring-sciontod. In the construction shown in Figs. Ill and 11 the bellcasing is provided with an opening P, which is reduced at one side, as shown I, to such a size that when the cable 5 is pulled into the reduced part of the opening it will he wedged therein and held against movement which would otherwise occur in response to the tension of the spring-actuated spool.

in the construction shown in Fig. 12 a. portable battery is connected with the pintsble bell, the hell and battery being inonnted on a. belt J, s port-ion of which on 1y is shown in the drawing. The bell shown in l0 and 11 is also singiposed to be connected with the belt J, which may be worn by tho user. in the construction shown in Fig. 12 the polls I rotates. on the spindle l and the cable 3: is

re ound thereon, the spool being actuated by a spring P. The branch conductors a, a, and are connected with the bell mechanism substantially the same in Fig. ii. The spool I is provided with a contact-ring I the same as in Fig. 11, and the branch conductor u loads to this ring after entering the bell-casing l. The branch conductors a" and a lead to the bell mechanism in the usual manner. The spool I is provided with an additional contact-ring F, and. this contact-ring is connected with the hell mechanism by a conductor P. The poles of the portable battery I are connected with the rings I and l by means of conductors I and l which lead to contacts I and I. mounted on the bell-cam ing snd insulated therefrom. Upon these contacts acre mounted rollers I and I, which directly engage the rings 1" and Y. The mechnnismshown in Fig. 12 is so arranged and constructed that when the push-button l is pressed the hatt cry I will be in the bellcircuit as wall the regular stationery battery connect-ed with the line and located at the engine or other suitable point. The pork able bell, well as the two hells located at the terminals of the line of hose, will'be operated when the pusle b utton of any bcll of tho three. pushed, providing that the regular stationary battery is properly connected and in working order; but if the stationary hattcry should be out of order or discomiccted the portable battery enables the person earrying it to signal the person at either end of the line of hose even though the stationary battery is out of order.

The electrical key is provided with a locking-pawl K, mounted thereon exteriorly and provided with a catch K, which extends inwardly through the body of the key and enters the socket of the thimble II". The lug. ll is provided with a recess adapted to receive this catch, whereby when the electrical key is applied to the coupling it is automatically held in place, since the pawl K is springactuated. In Figs. 8 and t) the manner of connecting the battery at the engine with the engine extremity of the hose is illustrated. The female coupling member L, connected with the engine, (not shown,) is provided with an insulating-ring L, in which are set outer and inner contact-rings L and L, respectively. These rings,together with the body of the coupling, are connected with the three main coinluctors l5, F, and G in the same manner as heretofore described. From these two rings lead branch (mnductors L and L, while from the body of the coupling member L leads a branch conductor L. conductors pass through a cable L which is connected with an insulating-lwy L, provided with spring-contacts L". Each one of these spring-contacts is connected with one of the branch cmiductors L", L". and L, and they may be connected with the battery or source of current mounted on the engine in any suitable manner. The engine source of current is not shown, except in the diagramlnatic views, Figs. 15 and Hi, which will be hereinafter described. it will be understoml that the conductors L", L, and L" are insulated from each other and that the condue tors L and L are insulated from the coupling member L.

ln Fig. 7 a coupling member M is shown located at the nozzle end of the line and with which the nozzle M is connected. Upon this member .\l is mounted a bell M", provided with a push-button M The bell is connected with eontzu-t-pins mounted in an insulating-ringM. Thecontact-pins,(oneonly being shown in Fig. 7,) are arranged substantially the same as shown in Fig. 1 and heretofore described. The contact-pin shown in Fig. 7 will be designated 1%. The coupling member M could be connected with the member L at the engine, (the member L being shown in Fig. SI,') and the mntact-pins would engage the rings L" and L. In other words, it is supposed that the member L, as shown in Fig. J, is mounted on the engine and that one of the female coupling members 15 at the end of the line of hose is connected wit h the member L, and the contact-pins B and 13, carried by the female member,engage the rings L and L. In this event it will be understood with the engine.

These three t that the source of current with which the conductors L L and L are connected. supplies the main conductors of the hose-line wlth electricity.

Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the circuit where a line of hose :is connected 7 In this case the source of current at the engine is designated R and the bell or signaling device N The three conductors mounted on the line of hose are designated E, F, and G the same as in the other views. The contacts G and E are also designated the same in this view as in the other views. The bell at the nozzle end of the line is designated N. The portable bell is designated N", and a portable bell N'" is connected with the portable battery 1". The

circuit-closers N", N N", and N" correspond to the push-buttons in the other views. The circuit-closer N is connected with the bell at the engine, the circuit-closer N with the bell at the nozzle, the circuit-closer I\' with one of the portable bells, and the circuit-closer N" with the other portable bell. Now it the circuit-closer N" is closed all of the bells will be simultaneously operated as follows: The current may be said to pass from one pole of the battery K through the conductor It, the circuit-(.rloser N, through the bell N and thence through the conductor R to the other pole of the battery, thus ringing the bell N Again, the current may be supposed to pass through It N U I (I, through bell N", conductor u, E, I and it to the other pole of the battery It, thus ringing the bell N". The path of the current in operating the bell N is as follows: through the conductor It", circuit-closer N conductors G lr (1, bell N conductor a, E, E, and R The path of the current in operating the bell N is as follows: From one pole of the battery It it passes through the conductor 1t, circuitcloser N, conductor G, bell N, conductor E, and conductor R completing the circuit and ringing the bell N. l have thus traced the circuit of the current necessary in operating all of the bells shown in Fig. 15 when the circuit-closer l\" is closed. rtttention is called to the fact that the current may be traced through all of the bells when any other of the circuit-closers is closed, leaving all of the others open. \Vhen the circuit-closer N is closed, the battery I will also be in the circuit, the only etl'ect being to reinforce the current. the two batteries R and I." in this event operating in harmony.

The special advantage of a construction such as that just described and illustrated in Fig. 15 is that it enables a person at any point between the engine and the nozzle to signal the person at the nozzle, even though the line is broken between the person having the portable battery and bell and the engine, or in case the signaling device at the engine is out of order or for any reason will not operate the person carrying the combined battery and bell construction may connect tho do vino with the lino of hose at any desired point and mnununirate with the person at tho nozzlo. It must thorcforv ho understood that tho combined portnhlo battery and boll construction is designed more especially for use Whon tho signaling mechanism at tho sn gino is out of order. In other words, the Po son carrying this portable construction may he sure that he signals the person at the nozzle, even if the signaling mechanism at the engine is out of order, while if the signaling mechanism at the engine is Working the porlnbls hottery will do no harm, sinco the circuit is closed for such a short time that the danger of running down one battery in (also tho two batteries are of dilloront voltage need not be taken into consideration. In any event the advantage resulting from the use of n boll and portable battery is so grant in case the signal ing mcchanism happens to ho out of orrlor at either and of thc line that it for outwoighs the possible dillicolt; of running down tho battery of loss voltngc. In any event tho portable battery construotirm must ho considorod as especially in londcd for nsc in omsrgsnoios.

In Fig. 16 the circuit is illustrated Where the line of hoso is ocnnoctod with a. hydrant S by using a reducer T. Attontion is rolled to the fact that tho coupl ings necessary in myinn provod construction are considerably larger than ooininon couplings, owing to tho necessity of making room for the insulating rings. The extremity of the lino of hosn to be connoctorl With a hydrant l thoreloro equip with a reduning coupling member T of standard size, so that a line of hose cqnipped with my improvorl signaling mechanism may be connected with any hydrant. The dotted linos in this viow indicate the rnslc coupling 3. with which tho portable boll N and botlory l are connected by moons of the branch (onductors a, a, and a through the instrumentslity of an olortrioal key of tho constrnotion shown in Figs. 10 and 14. it is assumed that the person iooated at the hydrant is provided with a. port able. bell and portable battery, and by connecting the some with the mole nonpling at the hydrant he is in position to signal, as will be readily understood. The portable 7 battery in this case takes tho plans of tho battery R at tho engine in the arrangement shown in Fig. 15. In this case if the oirouitcloser N is closed the current may he said to pass from one pole of the battery I through a conductor 1 through the oircuit-closor through tho boll N and through tho col1 luc tor I to the other polo of tho hottory, cornploting the circuit ond ringing the bell N At the some time the current may be said to pass through tho conductor P, the circuitcloser N the conductor a, the conductor (l, the bell N *1 the conductor E, tho conductor a, and the conductor 1 to the battery, oomlnting tho circuit, thus ringing ti shell WPll tho boll N Now it ill ronit-olosor X opon and the rlosor olossd the path of tho current can be traced from the battery I tln'ough both hells the same as bofore. It will slsobr undarstood that if a portable bell worn oonnnclsrl h means of on lectrical key at any one of the points where the three reloronoo oharoctcrs E, C, and F are located in this View this hell would be operated by the closing of any one of the push-buttons or circuit-closers, logothor with all of the other bells connected with the line of hose.

Attention is called to the fact that esoh male coupling A is provided with branch conductors oonncctod with the. oontaitrr-rings'A and A on opposite sides of this member, so Fig. 3 so that an electrical key of tho oha actor shown in F ll) and i i mag;- be nonnootod with oirhor sido oi the coupling 131G31- lwr. By Yirtus of this construction and ar rangomont tho usor of tho clcctrical key and portable llcli will always lind an opporiunity to attach his key. since both places where the kcy can be attached ('annol possibly ho connoolod tho sann: time.

ln Fig. o tho insulating-tape D is shown to carry three olortrical conductors D, each of Whioh is composod of a. number of looselywovon strands, whereby earl: cmnluctor extonsiblo or adnplml lo yield longitudinally. .lfilaoh of llu-so mjmdnrtors is individually insulatod. as shown at I). and they are again insulated iron) surrounding objects by the tapo l bywhich lhc throo oondnotors are oomgletely mini-lulled. This tape is ads ted "to be spirally wound around tho'line of ioso and embedded thcrcin, as heretofore dosoribeijl. and clearly illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

Tho insnloting-ring A of the mole coupling member is held in piaco h the contacts H which are throndsd into the coupling and onteftho insnlating ring, {see Fig. 18,) in which this 'l'oaturo is olosrl illustralod, though only one of the cont-sets ll is shown in this View. Those Contacts H are four in number and consist of hollow screws. with which the conductors E and G are connected.

Having thus described any invention, what I (claim 1. ln oleotriosi hose signaling apparel. tus, tho omnhination of ronpling members equipped with insnlatin'grmgs, two contact rings located in the isolating-ring of one member, two ccmtaot jins located in the insu lilting-ring of tho other member and adapted to ongago thorings of tho first-named member, throooondirotors mounted on the lino of hot, two of tnsrn being connected with the "pins of ons coupling member, and two of them with the rings of the other coupling nionibor, While the third conductor is connected with the body of each coupling member, a rovolublo ring carried by one of the coupling members,

said ring having an annular recess therein and a gasket in said recess, said gasket being located outside of the insulating-ring of the member which carries the rcvoluble ring and being engaged by the end of said member and the moperating member having a part projecting beyond its insulating-ring to engage with the gasket whereby a water-tight joint is formed, substantially as described.

.2. ln apparatus of the class described, a hose-coupling consisting of two cooperating coupling members equipped with insulatingrings and contact devices for completing a signaling-circuit through the coupling, a ring having an annular recess therein carried by one member and a gasket carried in said rccess and having a portion located outside of the insulating-ring oi one coupling member and engaged by both coupling members for the purpose of making a water-tight joint, the gasket being located bevond and separated from the waterway oi the couplin 3. The combination of a line of hose carrying three electrical comluctors, contacts mounted on one member oi the coupling of the hose and cxtcriorly exposed, the said contacts being connected with two oi the conductors oi the line and insulated i'rom the coupling member, the third conductor of the line being connected with the body oi the coupling member, the said coupling member having a. projection located between the insulatcd contacts, an electrical key provided with spring-actnated contacts adapted to engage the insulated contacts of the coupling member, the said key having a third contact shaped to receive the projection of the coupling member which projection is provided with a recess, means mounted on the key whereby the latter is made to interlock with the projection oi the coupling member comprising a spring-actuated pawl adapted to enter the recess of the said projection, branch conductors leading from the several contacts of the electrical key, and a portable hell or signal device with which the branch conductors are suitably connected.

4. The combination with a line of hose provided. with three electrical conductors leading to one of the coupling members, exposed contacts mounted on one of the coupling members to which two of the conductors of the line lead, the third conductor leading to the body of the coupling member, the latter having a projection provided with a recess an electrical key having three contacts insulated from each other and adapted to form electri *al connection on the coupling member with the three conductors of the line, one of the contacts consisting of a thimble adapted to receive the projection of one of the coupling members, the key being provided with a spring-actuaicd pawl adapted to engage the recess oi the cinupling-mcmber projection, thrcc branch conductors leading lrom the contacts of the electrical key, a portable bell to which the three branch. conductors lead, a revoluble spool upon which the bell mechanism is mounted, a casing in which the spool is located, the conductors being adapted to wind on the spool which is spring-actuated tor the purpose, a portable battery, two insulated cmitact-rings mounted on the spool and connected with the respective poles of the battery, and suitable connections whereby as the push-button or circuit-closer oi the bell is closed, the bell mechanism is in circuit with the battery.

The combination with a line of hose provided with three electrical conductors leading to one of the coupling members, two of the said conductors being insulated from the coupling member, while the other conductor is connected with the said member, the latter having a projection provided with a recess; an electrical key adapted to be connected with the coupling member and having three contactsinsulated from each other and adapted to form a suitable electrical connection on the coupling member with the three conductors oi the line, one of the conductors i'orming a socket adapted to receive the projection of one coupling member the key having a spring-actuatcd pawl adapted to engage the recess of the coupling-mcmbcr pro ection, three branch conductors connected with the contacts oi the key, a hell or signal device with which the three branch comluctors are suitably connected, and a spool mounted on the bell-casing and upon which the three conductors oi the electrical key may be wound for the purpose set forth.

6. An apparatus of the class described, the combination with a hose and a coupling member connected therewith, oi an insulatingring with which the coupling member is provided, threaded contacts inserted in the coupling member and entering the insulatingring to hold the latter in place, the said contacts being exposed at the outer surl'ace oi the member and being insulated from the metal part oi the latter, and conductors connected with the said contacts, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aliix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

W 1 lil 11AM FOY LER.

Witnesses Tms'rnN R. llnnnnnn,

A. B. Cona'rNnY. 

